Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1920, Page 2

Cheat interest has been aroused by the statement of Mr Vilhjalmur Stefnnsson, the Arctic explorer, that in the immense herds of caribou and muiU-oxeu ,which roam the vast spaces of her Far North, Canada, possesses a. hitherto unsuspected source of meat, wool and leather supplies of hugo potential value. So impressed was the Canadian Parliament with Mr Stefansson’s account of wliat lie bad seen in unknown Canada that it voted a sum of money to have the whole subject investigated by a Royal Commission, which is no,*’ sitting in Ottawa. Reuter’s correspondent approached Mr Stefansson with the object of ascertaining his personal views on the subject and the value which he attaches to the evidence so far recorded. “Wliat do I think of the practical pussiblities of the development of domestic reindeer and musk-oxen?” said Mr Stefansson. “I have no hesitation in saying that with the right sort of development the greater part of the Canadian North will, in time, prove itself to be one of the great meat supplying sources of the world. We need the assistance of the Government in uhis project, and the encouragement tint such assistance will undoubtedly give, but above all we need, and must have private enterprise and initiative. In addition to the value of the meat supply to be derived there are other valuable eeonmic. factors to he considend, which Dr Alfred Thompson M. P., who has (represented the Yukon i.n three successive Parliaments, drew attention to in his evidence. These 1 additional assets would consist of the hides for leather, the pelts for clothing, and Jie milk of the domesticated reindeer cows. Dr Thompson stated that ho knew personally one man in Dawson who hid been approached by a large firm of English leather manufacturers with the object of arranging for the export of carilliou skins. While we are on this subject continued Vi Stefansson, “I should like to draw attention to Captain Bernier’s very interesting testimony in which lie stated that.in addition to musk-ox meat being excellent and even superior to caribou, the wool obtained from the*musk-ox ! was as soft as.silk. He had had the practical experience of testing the com-fort-giving and wearing qualities of garments knitted by his wife from vooi that he had himself taken from tV animal and found them to be of the very best.”

Once again England is in the throes of a sorious strike. How far it might spread it. is hard to 'tell, but the leaders are giving wise counsel, and there is some indication that the hearts of all the men are not in the fray. "Our greatest asset,” as Mr Lloyd George might well be termed, has a firm grasp of the helm of the State, and it would appear that the Government is . endv for all emergencies. The worst aspen t of these, strikes is that the innocsit sufI fer so. Already thousands of willing workers are being thrown out of work because of the shortage of coal by the coal miners’ strike. The unionists are thus hitting their own class worst, and those least able to stand the rigors of a, fight. It would appear that the funds of the strikers are not adequate for a prolonged conflict, and It will be a mercy to all concerned, if from this cause the trial of strength is shortened. There is some suggested hope from the meeting in Parliament to-dav. Parliament, however, will support the Government', which it is plain had gone ai long way to meet tlm men. The only issue at stake is that the men shall guarantee a fair day’s work, by producing an adequate supply of coal. Rightly the country will not stand' for a goslow policy with the deliberate intention .of reducing production. That is as insane an idea as a strike itself, so far as vitally affecting th© well-being of I the nation, The Government’s first duty is to see production on a fair basis, and it is up to the workmen, not only to guarantee that result, but make it a reality. If that were done there would be an end to the haggling, and the country would be prepared to consider the demands of the men in the light of the work they were doing. Till then, the men cannot expect the Government which represents the people as a whole, to countenance under production, or to weakly give way to threats. 4)1 r Lloyd George has rightly guaged i the temper of th© nation, and is acting j sanely in the matter. The feeling there . is very much akin to the position in the Dominion, as was demonstrated j here so lately, when Mr Massey was . compelled in the public interests to de- j liver an ultimatum fo the State Coal miners. ,